Valentines Weekend, Numbi Hotel, Hazyview Friday 15th February to Sunday 17th February 2013

“Falling in love is so hard on the knees.” All too soon, the Valentines Weekend was upon us and being a long weekend (had to take Friday off as a day’s leave), the meeting time and place happened to be on Friday 15th February at 08h00 leaving from Carnival City Engen Garage. I woke up to a beautiful warm morning and left my house at 05h45 to meet up with Pieter and Antoinette at the Gordon Road exit, where Wymoth also joined us before he went off to work, to wish us well on our trip. We arrived nice and early at the Engen Garage, with very little traffic to contend with on the way there, only to find that we were not the first to arrive at the garage, as Jacqui and Eric were there already. Slowly the bikes started arriving, with Patricia and Paul last to arrive at 07h59 and still needed to fill up with fuel.

After the rider briefing, we were on our way with our first stop being about 84kms to the Secunda Plaza to enjoy a light breakfast and cup of coffee as well as a fuel stop for those needing fuel.

Our next planned stop for lunch was Harries Pancakes. We travelled on the N17 heading towards Bethal \ Carolina \ Belfast. GPS went a bit haywire with the new roadworks and roads, so instead of carrying on straight, I proceeded to go into Bethal, but discovered that I had gone wrong. Anyway, we proceeded to go through Bethal and get back onto the right road, but not without an incident. Peter Viljoen stalled his bike and in the process, dropped his bike, but thankfully, neither himself nor Delaine were hurt. Manie suggested that we stop in Carolina for a leg stretch, which we did.

Here Paul decided to try the “roadside braai”, a big braai chop. As we left Carolina, we were supposed to turn immediately left, but about 800 meters on, my GPS kept on telling me that I need to do a U-turn. Well, we all made a U-turn and headed back into town and turned right and then we were on the correct road heading towards Belfast onto Dullstroom. As we entered Dullstroom, I pulled into the first petrol station (Shell) on the left, only to discover that they did not have fuel. Most of the gang then decided to stop off at the local grill house on the right and so many people followed and only a handful of us went to Harries. I had booked a table for about 25 people, but in the end, we were only 8 people who enjoyed scrumptious sweet and savoury pancakes and refreshments. Gerrie decided that he was going to join us in eating pancakes, but we suggested

that he go down the road and join the other crowd and have a grill instead, as he does not enjoy pancakes at all, and he was teased about this the whole weekend.

Some of us put in fuel (95 Octane) at a petrol station further down the road, as we waited for the others to join us, and then we headed onto Lydenburg where some people then put in fuel and bought something to drink.

We proceeded through Lydenburg to the Long Tom Pass onto Sabie, past the Woodsman onto the “22” down to Hazyview, into town and arrived at the Numbi Hotel, parked our bikes and got our room keys. We were welcomed by Willem Fick Jnr, with some lovely drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. He told us that the Braai dinner would be served around the poolside from 18h30 for 19h00 onwards, with Traditional Dances entertaining us as well.

The Braai was absolutely delicious, so much so, that I forgot to take photos of the food display. Plenty to eat, pork chops, wors, chicken kebabs, hot and cold veggies, starters, and the dessert table was a great hit, as there was such a variety to choose from. The evening was a great success with lots of food, great company, beautiful weather and everyone gathering around the tables, enjoying a good dinner and chatting the night away.

Some went to bed early, and some carried on till much later. Willem took the opportunity to address the group, while everyone enjoyed the food, to discuss the following day’s ride and so it was decided that whoever wanted to ride on Saturday morning, should meet after breakfast in the parking area to leave around 09h00.

Breakfast at the Numbi Hotel is something that needs to be experienced as it is served on the patio and in the dinning room overlooking the swimming pool. Lots of fresh fruit, freshly baked tarts, muffins, croissants, cheese, cold meats, cereals both hot and cold, choice of eggs fried, scrambled or omelets, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes etc., you definitely won’t starve! Those wishing to ride gathered in the parking area.

Willem discussed the ride with us and said that he was taking us to some nice sight-seeing places where we could stop off and take photos. Lunch would be served at the Lone Creek Waterfall in Sabie. So, as a group, we set off to Graskop with the first stop being God’s Window.

Next stop was at the Three Rondawals and again lots of photos were taken.

Thanks to Marc, my fellow committee member, who once again assisted as TEC on this ride as well.

As can be seen by these photos, there are some of the best roads found in the Eastern Transvaal or Mpumalanga as it is now known. Our next stop was Pilgrims Rest, for a cooldrink (or something alcoholic) before departing to our lunch venue.

The history of this small delightful village dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alex Patterson, discovered alluvial gold on the farm named Ponieskrantz. He had left the Mac-Mac area to search for a place that was less congested. Though the discovery was kept as a secret, the inevitable happened when a second prospector William Trafford also discovered gold close by. What they had found in this beautiful valley drew optimistic gold panners and prospectors from all over the country and the World (news of gold strikes of this magnitude travel fast!). On 22nd September 1873 Pilgrim's Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field and the scatter of tents and rudimentary shacks soon grew into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, church, shops, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel. The diggers called it Pilgrim's Rest because here, at last, after so many false trails and faded dreams, they had truly found their home.

A lovely little drinking hole provided the necessary refreshments and entertainment, what with the huge heavy steel metal ball, there were plenty of discussions around this subject, as can be seen above by Eric and Willem.

We then travelled to our next stop which was Sabie, the Lone Creek Waterfall to enjoy a lovely lunch organised and supplied by the Hotel. Willem’s father, Willem Snr organised this and met and greeted us at the waterfall.

The menu comprised of hot pastas, salads, breadrolls and pudding.

On the way the waterfall about 600 meters from the entrance, Manie heard a loud “pop” coming from his bike – eish!!!! So Linda had to get into the car with Wynand and Zelda while Manie and the men sorted out the bike. The best person to do the job was Wentzel as he had the best toolkit. Andre, please take note that one of the gifts you handed out at one of the Club weekend rides, a toiletry bag, is now used as a toolkit bag.

Wentzel quickly stripped the part, put on gloves and sorted it out, while “other onlookers” watched and drank wine, as he cleaned and put it all back together. Paul wanted to help out, but by the time he took off his boots and pants, the job was finished and the bike was repaired.

We were really treated to a super lunch in excellent surroundings.

And “some people” ate too much pudding (see the pudding bowl on the grass next to him) and had to have a rest on the grass.

After lunch, we then left Sabie, went past the Woodsman, via the “22 “ and some stopped off at the Wine place on the left to sample and buy wines, while the rest of us went on home to the Hotel so that we could titivate and get ready for the Saturday night Valentines Dinner which the Hotel organised for us. When I sent out the invitations for this Club ride, I asked the members to dress up in something red, seeing that it was Valentines.

The dinner menu was a sit-down meal, with starters, main and dessert and the tables were well decorated, even the dance floor had a heart filled with roses.

Numbi Hotel had offered a complimentary accommodation for 2 as a prize, so we put all the names in a basket and the lucky name drawn was Willa Koch. Also, during the course of the evening, both Willem and I decided to give a prize to the best dressed couple, and the bottles of red wine went to Paul and Patricia.

And then some photos of other club members that had dressed in RED.

Marc and Deanna assisted with the handing out of the gifts of pen and pencil sets together with chocolates to all the members. Also part of the evening’s dinner, there was a celebration of a 60th birthday too, with champagne and cake. Thanks to Ze who organised this behind Enrico’s back and we could all celebrate with him and sang “Happy Birthday” to him as he was presented with his birthday cake.

Thanks to Willem and the Numbi Hotel for a wonderful dinner. For dessert there were deliciously filled pancakes and as Gerrie is not a lover of pancakes, Willem organised a special dessert for him, but he had to hang onto his dessert for dear life, as Pieter wanted to swop desserts with him.

A great evening was had by all which included dancing and drinking and eating, and once again, some members went to bed early and some a bit later.

Sunday morning of course, came around all too quickly, and after a healthy breakfast, those who wanted to ride back on their own, said their goodbyes and those who wanted to ride back in a group, met in the car park once again.

Willem came rushing into the car park with his car, got out and came over to wish us well for our trip home. Of course, he did not look too good, as he had been socializing with the party goers on Saturday night, so he was slightly hung-over and he was actually late for his Sunday golf game. We departed home with Manie leading the group and headed towards the Alzu Petroport to fill up with petrol and to also say our “goodbyes” before heading towards our respective homes.

Well, personally, I would like to thank all of you for making this Valentines Weekend at Numbi Hotel such a great success. We had great rides, wonderful accommodation, an excellent braai on Friday night, another great ride on Saturday ending this off with a picnic at Lone Creek Falls in Sabie, and then the Dinner Dance - WOW, what an event and an awesome Menu filled with the most scrumptious food. Then of course, I would like to thank Marc Russel for his excellent Tail-End-Charlie performance, well done, and thanks for your patience. And to Manie for leading the way home, thanks Manie. To Willem (Jnr), thanks to you for making this weekend a memorable weekend, with your riding skills and knowledge of the roads in and around Hazyview, for showing us places that some of us have not seen, and for your wonderful hospitality and making the BMW Motorcycle Club Central feel so welcome at your Hotel. As a Club, we will certainly use your venue again. And thanks to Eric and Paul for the photos you sent.

Ride Organised and Report Written by Patricia Jenkerson